Fans partially fill Investors Group Field in Winnipeg, Man. Wednesday June 12, 2013 during CFL exhibition football between the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Toronto Argonauts
BRIAN DONOGH/WINNIPEG SUN/QMI AGENCY

Fans partially fill Investors Group Field in Winnipeg, Man. Wednesday June 12, 2013 during CFL exhibition football between the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Toronto Argonauts
BRIAN DONOGH/WINNIPEG SUN/QMI AGENCY

Like kids to a candy store, Winnipeg football fans rushed through the gates of Investors Group Field on Wednesday and raved about their first taste of the city’s newest high-end sports facility.

There were wrinkles and wrenches in the plans of some fans who arrived late after fighting traffic, but the pre-season opener for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers was still seen as a highlight.

“This almost reminds me of a small European soccer stadium,” fan Joey Enright said. “Very tight, compact, you got the field right there, you can see from almost every angle. I’m impressed.”

Another fan, Daniel Doerksen, agreed with that assessment.

“The first thing I think that jumps out at me is how close the field is. I like the fact that you can see the field when you’re at the concessions,” he said. “It’s new and that’s something we really need in Canada.”

Doerksen’s friend Yuri Hladio is a native of Hamilton and wore a Tiger-Cats jersey. Hamilton is soon to get a new stadium as well, but Hladio was more impressed with this.

“I honestly don’t think it’ll be as nice as this one,” he said.

The consensus from fans about the stadium was that it gives off a close-knit vibe.

“It’s a lot more intimate now than at Canad Inns Stadium,” said Ron Ferniuk, whose wife Margaret was getting her first-ever look at the new digs.

Margaret took her first steps in and was in awe.

“I like the roof too, it’s got a lot of character,” she said. “Hopefully it gets real loud in here. It’s good for the game.”

Father and son Rick and Dave Condo have season tickets in the upper deck, similar to what they had at the old stadium. Rick said he’s had season tickets for 47 years, and loves the new stadium’s design.

“You’re not really jammed together and there’s a sense of openness that I really like,” he said.

As for any glitches, Condo’s son is confident those will be cleaned up.

“Like anything it’s going to be trial and error, but I think it’s going to be great once everything gets sorted out,” Dave Condo said.

PARKING WOES

Those who were at Investors Group Field early had no complaints about transportation or parking.

The rest, perhaps, were just stuck in traffic.

The early returns on the new home of the Bombers were largely positive at the lid-lifter for the south-end stadium Wednesday, but there were still plenty of fans funneling in late into the second quarter, as many fought traffic or found buses full.

Tammy Singer and her husband travelled from Tuxedo and arrived late, not by plan.

“An hour and a half in the car,” she said, adding it wasn’t going to sour her on the experience. “We know it’s a new stadium so everyone is going through growing pains.”

Scotty Brown took a bus from St. Norbert and was rushing to his seat midway through the second quarter. He said he caught the fourth bus that was sent out to his stop.

“We ended up bailing off the bus at University Crescent and Pembina Highway and walking the whole way in,” Brown said. “We’re just going to ride our bikes next time.”

The bike valets near the northwest portion of the stadium were filling up early as well.

Courtney Hoard lives near the stadium and walked to the game, but could see traffic building up.

“Driving was a nightmare. I was driving home from work and I wanted to rip my hair out. That’s why we’re late,” said Hoard, who was in good spirits despite the hassle.

Like kids to a candy store, Winnipeg football fans rushed through the gates of Investors Group Field on Wednesday and raved about their first taste of the city’s newest high-end sports facility.

There were wrinkles and wrenches in the plans of some fans who arrived late after fighting traffic, but the pre-season opener for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers was still seen as a highlight.

“This almost reminds me of a small European soccer stadium,” fan Joey Enright said. “Very tight, compact, you got the field right there, you can see from almost every angle. I’m impressed.”

Another fan, Daniel Doerksen, agreed with that assessment.

“The first thing I think that jumps out at me is how close the field is. I like the fact that you can see the field when you’re at the concessions,” he said. “It’s new and that’s something we really need in Canada.”